Nozzelman Scheme History
EFNARC’s Nozzleman Certification Scheme was introduced in 2009 in order to set up a qualification for sprayed concrete operators.
Before the introduction of EFNARC C2 in 2019, the Nozzleman Certification did not involve any form of standardized training. Instead, it simply served to facilitate the standardized assessment of already experienced operators (minimum 3 years). To respond to the industry’s need for training of novice personnel and qualified Nozzlemen, EFNARC C2 combined both training and assessment and allowed all operators to attend, without taking into account their previous experience.
Also, before the introduction of C2, EFNARC experienced problems with upholding the quality of the assessments. In order to continuously improve the certification process, EFNARC established a higher quality control. Therefore, theory tests now need to be conducted online, and objective assessment through simulators is mandatory. Besides, EFNARC will limit the possibility for Examiners to assess their colleagues.
The New Nozzleman Certificate
The C2 process has proven itself in the last three years and will therefore replace the previous procedures as of January 1st, 2023 with some further improvements, as the New Nozzleman Certificate. This means that, from this date onwards, all new applications and renewals will switch to the new certificate, and there will be only one unified EFNARC Nozzleman Certificate.
This improvement is aimed at ensuring the highest quality, reducing confusion between the previous certificates, and giving more value to the whole certification scheme.
The new certification will bring together different qualities of both previous schemes (top industry-standard training, independence, quality control, objectivity) and it will be open to experienced and inexperienced nozzlemen.
Everyone with a valid EFNARC Examiner certificate will be able to perform the new training and assessment, meaning there is no additional certification required for current examiners.
The Examiner Certificate will remain unchanged, except that it will also cover how to organize simulator training.
What is new as of 2023?
Virtual-Reality “VR” technology
The New Nozzleman Certificate obligatorily includes Virtual-Reality “VR” technology for training and assessment.
Using this technology is efficient, cost-effective, and above all ensures a safe training environment. The use of VR enables a clear and objective assessment of individuals’ performance. The New Nozzleman Certificate, therefore, maintains consistent grounds of objective assessment for all operators. EFNARC cooperates with VR training providers to continuously ensure closeness to reality and best practice examples.
Requirements to obtain the New Nozzleman Certificate
The New Nozzleman Certificate is obtained after attending and passing a course and handing in proof of minimum 40 days robotic spraying experience.
In the case of transfer/renewal of the old Nozzleman Assessment certificate, holders will need to demonstrate that they have done Modules 2 and 4 (theory exam well as a handing in proof of 40 days spraying activity since the last certification).
Assessment objectivity
The practical assessment needs to be conducted by an unbiased EFNARC Examiner, which means that Examiners can train their colleagues (Module 1 - 3), but are no longer allowed to conduct the practical assessment (Module 5) of their colleagues i.e. working in the same company or group.
Course modules of the New Nozzleman Certificate 5-Day Course
Module 1 – Classroom theory
Classroom theory to be taught by the EFNARC Examiner has been updated and is now more concise in comparison to the old Nozzleman Certification. The theory involves both basic and advanced theory covering subjects such as materials, spraying equipment, spraying techniques and HSE. The course materials are available in different languages.
Module 2 – 30-Minute Theory exam (Online)
Each course participant individually completes a theory exam online which includes 30 multiple-choice questions randomly selected from EFNARC’s database. The pass-mark is 20 correct answers. The exam is available in multiple languages (EN, DE, IT, ES, FI).
Module 3 – 3 Days Simulator Training
The course participants go through different scenarios on VR-simulators specifically developed for training and assessment. This module is either held by the Examiner or by EFNARC certified simulator providers. All simulated scenarios have to be passed in order to fulfill the requirements of the module, independent of the time needed to do so (participants will be given 3 days on the simulator) and verified by the simulator only.
Currently there are two accredited simulator providers, Edvirt AB and Normet Oy. Both serve customers globally and are ready to work with Examiners all over the world.
Module 4 – Practical spraying experience
Proof of minimum 40 days practical spraying experience. The experience document to be handed in can be signed by a supervisor, manager, shift boss or similar.
Module 5 – Practical assessment
One day practical assessment by independent EFNARC Examiner. In practice, this means that experienced operators who have handed in their experience document will do the new Module 5 directly on day 5 of the EFNARC Nozzleman course.
Inexperienced operators will be able to attend the course and come back to do Module 5 once they can prove the required spraying experience of min. 40 days. Alternatively, they can agree with the Examiner to have him conduct the assessment directly on a jobsite once the required experience has been acquired.
The Nozzleman Examiner Area of the EFNARC website will be updated soon with the New Nozzleman Certificate Training and Certification Plan and all relevant information.
Questions or doubts?
Please check out our Q&A Section and let us know in the comments if you have further questions.
Q&A
- As a current examiner, do I need an additional certification to run the new course and assessment? Everyone with a valid EFNARC Examiner certificate will be able to perform the new training and assessment, meaning there is no additional certification required for current examiners.
Simulators
- Who are the official VR simulator providers? The official VR simulator providers approved by EFNARC are Edvirt and Normet.
- How do I arrange the simulator training as part of my course? Please contact the EFNARC secretary or any of the official simulator providers for further information.
- Do I need to take care of the simulator training myself? EFNARC examiners can get trained to arrange the simulator training, or have the simulator providers send trainers.
- Can I get trained to take care of the simulator training myself? The first time EFNARC examiners arrange a simulator training, you will need trainers to assist in-situ, or remotely. After that you will have the skills to use the simulator in any successive training.
- What are the physical requirements to set up the simulator training? The minimum requirements in terms of space and equipment are quite simple. Apart from electricity, a regular 2x2m office space (per simulator) with a projector screen is all that is needed. The simulator providers can arrange for the projector screen if required.
- What cost is involved with the simulator training? Multiple factors (number of participants, need of training personnel, location etc.) affect the cost of the simulator training, so the simulator providers will provide an estimate on a case-by-case basis.
Practical session
- What is involved in the practical session? The Examiner must conduct a practical session using a robotic spraying equipment and sprayed concrete with a commonly used mix design. Each attendee shall spray a test panel or a surface of min. 1,0 m3 of sprayed concrete. The test panel needs to comply with EN 14488-1, or other applicable local standards.
Certification
- How do the attendees of my course receive the certification? The Examiner notifies EFNARC once the attendees have proven completion of all modules, and EFNARC will thereafter send the certificates to the Examiner. The Examiner sends the certificates to the attendees.
- What cost is involved with the certification process? From EFNARC side, the certification process involves a 50-EUR fee for the online test and registration, plus a 100-EUR fee for the certificate per attendee.
- What is the validity time of the certification? The New Nozzleman Certificate is valid for five 5 years.
- How can I pay for certificates and renewals? The Examiner charges the attendees for the course and all certificate fees. Alternatively, you can have the attendees pay for the certificates directly online by sending them this payment link.
Bear in mind that payment is now handled online via credit card and no longer via invoicing.
Costs and pricing
- What cost is involved with the simulators? Multiple factors (number of participants, location etc.) affect the cost of the simulator training, so the simulator providers will provide an estimate on a case-by-case basis.
- What cost is involved with the certification process? The certification process involves a 50-EUR fee for the online test and registration plus a 100-EUR fee for the certificate per attendee.
- What is the price I need to charge the attendees? Examiners are free to set their own pricing.
Any further questions? Please let us know in the comments.
